I want to trim the root ball on a few plants so they can be put into smaller containers. Should I do it before they start to leaf out? Anyone have pointers on how to do it?
Root Pruning
Start to leaf out means:before they get new leafs in spring?
This would be the best time for trimming the root ball.
Yes. they haven't been outside yet. Is there any rule about how much root can be pruned away? I have a couple that are in huge pots and I want to trim them to fit in 5 gal containers.
Sometimes I prune away more than half of rootball.
To prune away about 1/3 ( third part)should be the rule.
Thanks L. I think some may need up to half. I'll let you know how it goes.
I do this all the time Poppysue, not so much to put in smaller containers but to keep the current size while supplying fresh dirt to the pot. This is what I have found to work very well for me. In the spring you can really do more than you can any other time of year when it is in growth. The best time is just before the plant goes into its growth spurt but because where I live they never go dormant, I just do it in the early spring.
I cut back more than half the rootballs and then I trimmed the top back. The usual rule in all plants is that you need to trim both the roots and the canopy to match for the roots need to be able to sustain the canopy of the plant. I find in brugs, they are more forgiving.
I just cut the roots on this CG by quite a bit.........much more than half on 4/7/03. Here it is the day I cut it back.
Hi poppysue, Usually i just remove any extra or old compost by loosening up the root ball and giving it a shake till enough is removed. I don't root prune at all! I pot it on with fresh compost and the plant continues growing as if nothing had happened! :o)
And I just went out and took this picture today, 3 weeks later.
and look at all the buds I have...........LOL
Great photos Kell and such LOVELY plants. Do these guys live in a pot year round? I was under the impression that brugs didn't grow as well (as yours)when planted in a pot.
Kell - if mine look like that in three weeks I'll be struttin around the brug forum like a peacock! These ones are naked ... still in the basement. I'm scared to bring them out - lol. The weather is warming up but the nights are still cold. This past week lows have been in the forties. I was thinking I'd bring just a few out in case I need to rush them back inside.
Hey Poppy- you and me both.
I've left my brugs out and we've been getting down in the forties. They are handling it really well and putting on new growth. Our highs during the day have been from 60-70's. I've had many of mine out for a few weeks now. We've even gotten into the 30's a few nights and everyone made it okay. I'd try a few, you might be surprised.
I am so green with envy Kell!
That transformation is awesome.
Kell, it is going to be beautiful very soon.
Poppysue, it gets in the 40s here also now. Days have been in the 50s with some low 70s. But you can feel spring in the air, it is palpable. I think the plants really respond to that.
Kristi, brugs will grow much better in the ground here. But that is the trouble. I have a small yard and cannot have huge bushes all over. However, if you have a large enough pot and fertilize well, they grow great in pots also, just not so huge. My aim is not to grow a huge brug in a pot which is why I root prune and canopy prune to control them. I do not have room for huge ones. I just want pretty ones.
Here is brug that I bought as a 5 gallon pot that was less then 3 feet tall last year, about 3 stalks. Less than one year later it is huge. I have this planted in a friend's yard. Most of the ones that were in my yard this big, I had to take out this last month. And they sucker like crazy!
